The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently sought an action-taken report (ATR) from Kendrapada SP Satish Kumar Gajbhiye over the killing of an eight-year-old boy for human sacrifice. The NHRC gave such direction while acting on the petition filed by the Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
The petitioner pointed out that on last April 13, the boy Rajesh Kumar Nayak of Gokhapada village under the Marshaghai police station of Kendrapada district, was killed while he went to see a yajna organised in the village. On April 14 evening, the minor boy’s body was found floating on the luna river water near the village. The boy was murdered for human sacrifice, the petitioner added. Tripathy had requested the NHRC to direct the State to conduct autopsy and to inform steps taken by it to control sorcery. He also urged the commission to direct the State to take legal action against the culprits and pay at least `5 lakh monetary compensation to the family members of the deceased. The rights body on last Saturday sought ATR from the SP within four weeks.
When contacted, Gajbhiye stated that the NHRC report is yet to be received. He informed that the police have arrested two accused involved in the murder including occultist Muna alias Choudhury Abhinas Das (46), a retired Army personnel.
“The accused confessed that they killed the child for human sacrifice to attain mastery in witchcraft and to achieve desired wish. The duo is now in jail custody,” said Gajbhiye.